Court

/kɔrt/ noun

Definition

a tribunal presided over by a judge; an area marked out for ball games

Etymology

from Old French cort, from Latin cohors 'enclosure'

Kelly Says

Polysemous between legal and sports contexts

Ethical Language Guidance

Gender History

Historically, women had minimal standing in courts. Legal rights (property, divorce, child custody) were withheld or filtered through male guardians. 'Court' as institution encoded male legal personhood.

Inclusive Usage

Use 'court' neutrally; note that equal legal standing is recent and incomplete globally.

Empowerment Note

Women fought for the right to testify, own property, and appear as full parties in court—rights taken for granted today.

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